Report: Tigers, Cabrera agree to 8-year extension

(SportsNetwork.com) - While the Detroit Tigers' reigning Cy Young winner's long-term future with the team has recently come into question, it appears as if their star slugger isn't going anywhere for a long time.

ESPN.com reported Thursday that Miguel Cabrera has agreed to terms with the Tigers on an eight-year contract extension worth in the neighborhood of $250 million, a development that should enable the two-time American League MVP to finish his career in Detroit.

According to CBSSports.com, the deal will become official once Cabrera passes a physical.

Cabrera still has two years and $44 million on his current contract, making the pact a 10-year deal with a total value of close to $300 million. It would be the largest in MLB history, surpassing the 10-year, $275 million contract Alex Rodriguez signed with the New York Yankees in 2007.

The eight-time All-Star earned the massive payday by putting together back-to- back brilliant seasons in Detroit that resulted in MVP awards.

In 2012, Cabrera became the first player since Carl Yastremski in 1967 to win a Triple Crown by leading the AL in home runs (44), RBI (139) and batting average (.330). He captured a third straight batting title after hitting a career-high .348 last season, while finishing second in the AL with 44 homers and 137 RBI.

Since signing an eight-year, $152 million contract with the Tigers in 2008, Cabrera has hit .327 and averaged 38 homers and 123 RBI. His 227 homers, 737 RBI and .588 slugging percentage over that span are all the best in the majors over that time period.

The news of Cabrera's extension comes just days after the Tigers issued a statement announcing that pitcher Max Scherzer had declined a long-term contract offer from the team and further discussions would not take place during the upcoming season.

Scherzer, who went 21-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 240 strikeouts to take home the 2013 AL Cy Young Award, is scheduled to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2014 campaign.